Ethics

1. Ethics

2. What is Ethics? The field of ethics, also called moral philosophy, involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.

3. Types of Ethical Studies 1. Concepts in Ethics A. Objectivism B. Relativism C. Psychological Issues i. egoism vs. altruism ii. emotion vs. reason2. Normative EthicsA. Virtue theories B. Duty theories C. Consequentialist theories i. ethical egoism ii. ethical altruism iii. utilitarianism

4. Concepts in Ethics Two major concepts in ethics involve discovering specifically whether moral values are eternal truths that exist in a spirit-like realm or rather human conventions. Objectivism - eternal truths, spiritual 1 +1 = 2 Here, ethical rules are laws that are unchanging as physical objects. Relativism - created by humans Either invented by the individual or with the approval of a specific culture. It changes between individuals or cultures.

5. 1. Concepts in Ethics A.ObjectivismB. Relativism C. Psychological Issuesi. egoism vs. altruism ii. emotion vs. reason Egoism vs. Altruism An egoist would argue that selfishness and pleasure motivate our actions though we do have the capacity to show, and sometimes practice, benevolence toward others. Psychological Issues

6. 1. Concepts in Ethics A.ObjectivismB. Relativism C. Psychological Issuesi. egoism vs. altruism ii. emotion vs. reason Egoism vs. Altruism An altruist insists that that selfishness and pleasure should not motivate our actions. He or she would instead put the benefit of others’ before themselves in every situation. Psychological Issues

7. 1. Concepts in EthicsA. ObjectivismB. Relativism C. Psychological Issues i. egoism vs. altruismii.emotion vs. reason Emotion vs. Reason All of our moral choices are, or at least can be, backed by some reason or justification. In an academic setting, acknowledging the reasons for an ethical decision is essential in order to have discussion. Psychological Issues

8. The Role of Reason If I claim that it is wrong to steal someone's car, then I should be able to justify my claim with some kind of argument. For example, stealing Smith's car is wrong . . . Why? since this would upset her, violate her ownership rights, or put the thief at risk of getting caught.

9. How Do I Apply Ethics? 1. Concepts in Ethics A. Objectivism B. Relativism C. Psychological Issues i. egoism vs. altruism ii. emotion vs. reason2. Normative EthicsA. Virtue theories B. Duty theories C. Consequentialist theories i. ethical egoism ii. ethical altruism iii. utilitarianism

10. Normative ethics takes on a practical task, which is to arrive at moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct. Why is it important for us, as a society, to arrive at moral standards that regulate right and wrong conduct? Normative Ethics

11. 3 Theories of Normative Ethics 1. Concepts in Ethics A. Objectivism B. Relativism C. Psychological issues i. egoism vs. altruism ii. emotion vs. reason2. Normative EthicsA. Virtue theories B. Duty theories C. Consequentialist theories i. ethical egoism ii. ethical altruism iii. utilitarianism

12. Duty Many of us feel that there are clear obligationswe have as human beings, such as to care for our children, and to not commit murder. These principles are obligatory, irrespective of the consequences that might follow from our actions. For example, it is wrong to not care for our children even if neglecting them results in some great benefit, such as financial savings. What are some examples of things we do out of duty?

13. Duty theories do recognize that duties will come into conflict. Duty to keep your promise Duty not to bring harm to others I borrow my neighbor's gun and promise to return it when he asks for it. What am I obligated to do? One day, in a fit of rage, my neighbor pounds on my door and asks for the gun so that he can take vengeance on someone. Am I still obligated to return the gun? On the one hand, the duty to keep promises obligates me to return the gun; on the other hand, the duty of not injuring others obligates me to avoid injuring others and thus not return the gun. Which is more important? In this case, my duty to not injure others emerges as the most important duty, and I should not return the gun.

14. Focus on the Consequences 1. Concpets in Ethics A. Objectivism B. Relativism C. Psychological Issues i. egoism vs. altruism ii. emotion vs. reason2. Normative Ethics A. Virtue theories B. Duty theories C. Consequentialist theoriesi. ethical egoism ii. ethical altruism iii. utilitarianism

15. Consequentialist • Ethical Egoism: an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable only to the agent performing the action. • Ethical Altruism: an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable to everyone except the agent. • Utilitarianism: an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable to everyone.

16. An Example A woman was traveling through a developing country when she witnessed a car in front of her run off the road and roll over several times. She asked the hired driver to pull over to assist, but, to her surprise, the driver accelerated nervously past the scene. A few miles down the road the driver explained that in his country if someone assists an accident victim, then the police often hold the assisting person responsible for the accident itself. If the victim dies, then the assisting person could be held responsible for the death. The driver continued explaining that road accident victims are therefore usually left unattended and often die from exposure to the country's harsh desert conditions. What should she do? What is the most ethical decision?

17. Ethical egoism - the woman in this illustration would only be concerned with the consequences of her attempted assistance as she would be affected. Clearly, the decision to drive on would be the morally proper choice. • Ethical altruism- she would be concerned only with the consequences of her action as others are affected, particularly the accident victim. Tallying only those consequences reveals that assisting the victim would be the morally correct choice, irrespective of the negative consequences that result for her. • Utilitarianism, she must consider the consequences for both herself and the victim. The outcome here is less clear, and the woman would need to precisely calculate the overall benefit versus disbenefit of her action.

18. Dive in! • Advertising alcoholic beverages to minors • Stopping at the scene of an accident • Not advertising high-calorie cereals that normally appeal to children.